December 1st -7th
Panto
Panto season kicks off in earnest this week with Beauty and the Beastat the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin (01-6771717) from tomorrow and Peter Panat the INEC, Killarney from Friday until December 14th (064-71555). Lambert Puppet Theatre, Co Dublin stages a puppet panto version of Aladdineach weekend until Christmas (01-2800974), while Mary Elizabeth Burke-Kennedy's adaptation of Alice in Wonderlandis at the Helix (01-7007000) for all of December. Goldilocks and the Three Bearsis at Farmleigh tomorrow from noon (www.farmleigh.ie).
Giving
Byrne's World of Wonder and Beat 102-103 hope to collect up to 10,000 toys between now and December 21st for distribution by the Society of St Vincent de Paul. Donations of new, unwrapped toys are accepted at Byrne's World of Wonder stores nationwide (www.svp.ie).
Music
The London Irish Camerataaims to entice Irish musicians living abroad to perform in Ireland and this week embarks on its first Irish tour. Joined by soloist Finghin Collins, the orchestra performs music by Mozart, Holberg, Shostakovich and Bartok, taking in Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford (Wednesday), St Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny (Thursday), Rowe Street Church, Wexford (Friday) and the National Gallery, Dublin on Sunday 9th. Glasnevin Musical Society'sChristmas show takes place at the National Concert Hall at 3pm and 8pm today. Duran Duranare live at the Marquee in the Phoenix Park on Wednesday.
Christmas fairs
Russborough Housein Blessington, Co Wicklow hosts Christmas farmers' markets each Sunday in December from 10am to 5pm, while Sonairte in Laytown, Co Meath, has a Christmas craft and food fair this weekend. The live Christmas cribat Airfield in Dundrum, Dublin opens today, where on Thursday at 10.30am Lorcan Burke leads a Christmas wreath-making workshop (www.airfield.ie). Ballyvaughan Christmas Marketis a European- style Kristkindl market, selling crafts, gift and food. It takes place every weekend between now and Christmas in the Co Clare town (www.ballyvaughanireland.com. The annual National Crafts Fairbegins at the RDS, Dublin on Wednesday.
Visual art
Foodis an exhibition which tells the story of New York conceptual artist Gordon Matta-Clark's SoHo restaurant. Staffed by artists, it was a hub for the artistic community in the city in the 1970s. It starts today at the thisisnotashop gallery Benburb Street, Dublin. His widow, Jane Crawford, gives a talk on his work on Tuesday, 10am at NCAD on Thomas St. (thisisnotashop.wordpress.com). ..scapeis an exhibition of work by Samantha Clarke, Anthony Collins, Gráinne Finn, Vanessa Donoso Lopez and Eimearjean McCormack at the Crow Gallery, Temple Bar, Dublin from Tuesday until Dec 9th (www.canvas.ie/scape).
And finally
The FAI Cup Finalbetween Longford Town and Cork City takes place tomorrow at the RDS - kick-off at 3.30pm. Leinster take on Edinburgh in the Heineken Cup at 8pm on Friday, also at the RDS.